With the NBA playoffs right around the corner teams are gearing up for the second season by getting their star players some down time. The gruelling regular season has taken it’s toll and now it is time for the frenetic pace of the playoffs to pickup as teams chase down a Championship.
Among all the star players who are being rested there are legitimate injuries that could affect a team’s run in the playoffs. While this is obviously of significant concern to general managers it is of equal worry for fantasy general managers who are also gearing up for their second season.
We will take a look at some noteables who have or are suffering from injuries heading into the playoffs. While most will play through their ailments it is worth keeping these tidbits in mind when drafting your fantasy playoff roster.
Paul Millsap - Atlanta Hawks
Assuming for a second that the Atlanta Hawks do hold onto the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference they will have a bit of an injury concern moving forward. While Millsap has certainly gutted it out for the past couple weeks in hopes of willing his team into the postseason; the wear and tear on his injured thumb is concerning. Millsap’s production has slowed only slightly over the past couple weeks; however, moving forward into the postseason the thumb could be significant if it starts to affect his outside jumper.
Kemba Walker - Charlotte Bobcats
After the jubilation of making the playoffs set in a downer was sure to follow and here it is. Walker who has been the floor leader and drive behind the offence has a groin injury. He aggravated it in wednesday's game and he will likely sit a few games to ensure some rest before the playoffs begin. The unfortunate thing is that Walker’s game is very much predicated on speed and lateral quickness. If he is suffering any lingering effects of the injury once the playoffs begin; the Bobcats will be making a very short-lived appearance.
Monta Ellis - Dallas Mavericks
If the Mavs can hold onto a playoff spot their future is rather bleak. Nevermind the fact that Ellis is banged up from having a bruised tailbone and back spasms but the team will either face the San Antonio Spurs of Oklahoma Thunder in the first round. The diminutive shooting guard has always been a gamer; however, the toll of playing every game like a playoff game down the stretch here coupled with some nagging injuries could have an effect moving forward.
David Lee - Golden State Warriors
Missing time due to injury is nothing new to Lee and Warriors fans. Lee has already missed a number of games this season and it appears likely that he won’t see any more regular season game action. Heading into the postseason Lee is battling hamstring and back injuries that have forced him to miss the last ten games of the year. The Warriors need Lee to be healthy and playing without limitations if they are to advance deep in the playoffs.
Dwight Howard - Houston Rockets
Howard continues to be sidelined by a bad ankle. He has missed the last ten games of the regular season already as he continues to baby his sprained ankle. For Howard he is very much a rhythm player and by not playing and moving at game speed he will be a shadow of himself offensively come playoff time.
Jamal Crawford - Los Angeles Clippers
Super-sub Crawford has seen his regular season come to an end. His calf injury has sidelined him for the past five games and there is no hope of him playing in the teams remaining two games. The talk is that Crawford should be ready come playoff time; however, given his lack of mobility to this point and cautious approach the Clippers are taking, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Crawford sit the first few playoff games too.
Dwyane Wade - Miami Heat
The Heat have been overly cautious about rushing Wade back to the court as he has once again aggravated a hamstring injury. The Heat are pretty much on cruise control anyways as the regular season winds down, but they must be concerned about Wade’s availability come playoff time. The Heat need the slashing and attacking Wade to be at his best if they want to put together a three-peat.
Goran Dragic - Phoenix Suns
The Suns have been the surprise team of the year no question about it. Their unlikely quest for the playoffs however took a turn for the worse now that their team MVP Dragic is down with an ankle injury. If the Suns can hold onto one of the final playoffs seeds they will need Dragic on the court for them to have any chance at all. If Dragic is at all hobbled the offence won’t be pushed at the frenetic pace that has made the team successful this season.